BitFenix Design Lab Officially Announces the Survivor Chassis

[btarunr]

Today, BitFenix is pleased to launch Survivor - a mid-tower ATX gaming chassis that combines elegant styling with ruggedized features engineered for the mobile digital warrior. "We wanted to design a PC chassis that had ruggedized features, but didn't necessarily look like a tractor," says David Jarlestedt, BitFenix Product Manager. "Will you be able to throw it in front of a moving bus or down the stairs? No, but you won't have to worry about damaged hardware while driving to your friend's house or LAN party".

The unique curved design of Survivor isn't simply aesthetic. Extending past the side panels, this design helps to protect Survivor and the hardware inside during transport. The front, top and bottom of Survivor is coated with proprietary BitFenix SofTouch surface treatment, which helps protect these surfaces from stains and scratches, all while looking great. On the very front above the ODD bays is an LED-lit BitFenix logo, which users can turn on and off at a press of a button.



On top, Survivor sports a concealable I/O panel which helps maintain its clean modern design. Sliding the panel open reveals the light on/off controls, audio jacks, power and reset buttons, two USB 2.0 ports, an eSATA port, and two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports. Survivor also has the ability to turn BitFenix Spectre LED fan lights on and off at a touch of a button - it's like having a BitFenix Hydra Fan LED Controller built in! Above the I/O panel is a smartly-designed hideaway carry handle. Simply lift and lock the handle in place when you need to move Survivor around, and snap it back when not in use to maintain Survivor's clean looks.



Once at the LAN party, Survivor helps to maximize your gaming experience. Survivor comes equipped with a modular hard drive cage that can be removed in order to accommodate extra-long graphics cards. With the entire cage intact, Survivor can be outfitted with up to nine 2.5" SSD drives or seven 3.5" hard disks. And to keep all your hardware running cool while you are fragging the competition, Survivor can be outfitted with up to two 200mm fans or three 120mm fans.

Have to leave your seat for a while and wonder if your mouse, keyboard and headset will be there when you return? Not a problem with Survivor. Bundled with Survivor is the BitFenix S2- an innovative peripheral security and cable management device. Simply install S2, insert your peripheral cables, and lock it to the chassis security loop using a padlock of your choice. With S2, would-be thieves will have to think twice before trying to steal your gaming gear. Also bundled with Survivor is the BitFenix Lockdown, a hardware stabilizer that helps prevent accidental damage to graphics cards due to excessive vibrations during system transport.

Survivor also includes a variety of features to make assembly and maintenance quick and painless. The CPU cooler cutout on the motherboard tray makes changing coolers a breeze, and specially-designed motherboard standoffs, internal cable management, and an almost tool-free design are a godsend for PC do-it-yourselfers. Finally, the included dust filters on all air intakes help keep Survivor clean on the inside.

In addition to Survivor, BitFenix is also releasing a more basic version of Survivor dubbed Survivor Core. This more affordable variant retains the unique styling of Survivor and grants users more freedom in terms of cooling options.

Below is a comparison between Survivor and Survivor Core:
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tr>
<td width="102" valign="top"><p>*</p></td>
<td width="258"><p align="center"><strong>Survivor</strong></p></td>
<td width="264"><p align="center"><strong>Survivor Core</strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="102"><p>USB 3.0 Ports</p></td>
<td width="258"><p align="center">2</p></td>
<td width="264"><p align="center">-</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="102"><p>USB 2.0 Ports</p></td>
<td width="258"><p align="center">2</p></td>
<td width="264"><p align="center">4</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="102"><p>Top Cooling</p></td>
<td width="258"><p align="center">BitFenix Spectre 200mm Red LED Fan</p></td>
<td width="264"><p align="center">BitFenix Spectre 200mm All Black Fan</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="102"><p>Front Cooling</p></td>
<td width="258"><p align="center">BitFenix Spectre 200mm Red LED Fan</p></td>
<td width="264"><p align="center">-</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="102"><p>LED Control</p></td>
<td width="258"><p align="center">Logo and fans</p></td>
<td width="264"><p align="center">Logo on/off, also works with optional with BitFenix Spectre LED Fans</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="102"><p>BitFenix S2</p></td>
<td width="258"><p align="center">Included</p></td>
<td width="264"><p align="center">-</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="102"><p>BitFenix Lockdown</p></td>
<td width="258"><p align="center">Included</p></td>
<td width="264"><p align="center">-</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="102"><p>MSRP</p></td>
<td width="258"><p align="center">99€ (incl. 19% VAT) and $109</p></td>
<td width="264"><p align="center">79€ (incl. 19% VAT) and $89</p></td>
</tr>
</table>

Both Survivor and Survivor Core will be available on retail shelves mid November.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Cold Storm]

That looks like it would be a sweet case to play around with. Handle is nice. Hope it can hold..

 

[Easy Rhino]

that handle looks like it will snap right off.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

I am curious. This is like the 6th case to brag about protecting your peripherals with some kinda lock.

Does stuff really get stolen at LAN Parties that often? Are the larger ones really some kind of gathering for nerd thieves?

 

[Easy Rhino]

I am curious. This is like the 6th case to brag about protecting your peripherals with some kinda lock.

Does stuff really get stolen at LAN Parties that often? Are the larger ones really some kind of gathering for nerd thieves?

lol! think of all the loot you could bag at a massive lan party you come back to your rig after a break and you notice your GPU is gone!

 

[pjladyfox]

that handle looks like it will snap right off.

I was thinking the same thing actually since it looks pretty flimsy. While I give BitFenix props for coming out with a decent case my vote still edges towards the HAF 912. Companies need to consider that 200mm fans are not very common and with the HAF 912 allowing you to use either a single 200mm or a pair of 120mm is a better solution and you get more drive bays as well.

 

[btarunr]

Wait for a reviewer to tell you the handle is flimsy, don't assume by just the looks.

 

[Easy Rhino]

Wait for a reviewer to tell you the handle is flimsy, don't assume by just the looks.

well since nobody has reviewed the case yet i ASSUME it is flimsy. i will continue to do so until i am told it is not.

 

[btarunr]

well since nobody has reviewed the case yet i ASSUME it is flimsy. i will continue to do so until i am told it is not.

Assumption is not fact.

 

[Easy Rhino]

Assumption is not fact.

of course it is not fact. if i said, "that handle looks sturdy" would you say i should not assume it is sturdy until i see a review? i guess we shouldnt voice any opinions...

 

[btarunr]

of course it is not fact. if i said, "that handle looks sturdy" would you say i should not assume it is sturdy until i see a review? i guess we shouldnt voice any opinions...

No, what I meant (with no specific mention of you) is that don't establish buying descisions on what you assume from its looks in a low resolution picture. Let a reviewer tell you it's flimsy, or test it out yourself when you have the chance.

To me the handle looks rock sturdy.

 

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

I was thinking the same thing actually since it looks pretty flimsy. While I give BitFenix props for coming out with a decent case my vote still edges towards the HAF 912. Companies need to consider that 200mm fans are not very common and with the HAF 912 allowing you to use either a single 200mm or a pair of 120mm is a better solution and you get more drive bays as well.

200 mm fans not very common . . . what on earth are you talking about, I can walk into frys and buy them, more over are you saying companies should base what they put in their cases, based on what everyone else is doing. . . they did that for many many year, hence why for many years your choice was a beige box or if you were really lucky you could buy a box in black or maybe some other color . .. unheard of! Moreover isn't the argument moot when it already comes with the fans . .. ?

lol! think of all the loot you could bag at a massive lan party you come back to your rig after a break and you notice your GPU is gone!

I go to Quake Con, PDX Lan, and Lancryption every year, and I have never had anything stolen, granted I do take my mouse with me and lock my console, but all major lans of any respectability make you list the components in you machine, and have people check to make sure what you bring into the lan is the same thing you bring back out when you leave the lan. Now that said, is it really a bad idea to lock your system. . . NO!, but it shouldn't be the deciding factor in you purchase either.

 

[Easy Rhino]

No, what I meant (with no specific mention of you) is that don't establish buying descisions on what you assume from its looks in a low resolution picture. Let a reviewer tell you it's flimsy, or test it out yourself when you have the chance.

To me the handle looks rock sturdy.

and to me it looks flimsy. that's all i am saying. i am sure they tested it out before they mass produced the thing. just have my doubts. a reviewer will have to swing it around a bit to really get a good feeling about it.

 

[Kitkat]

looks cooler than that other wavy thing they put out man that other one is "creative" and i don't mean pretty lol but as long as the construction is good someone will love it. And i think what btarunr is trying to say is "you be trollin" but in way more sentances.

 

[DonInKansas]

and to me it looks flimsy. that's all i am saying. i am sure they tested it out before they mass produced the thing. just have my doubts. a reviewer will have to swing it around a bit to really get a good feeling about it.

Do you often violently swing your case to use it as a bludgeoning weapon?

 

[TheLaughingMan]

Why are people bitting Easy's head off for voicing an OPINION. This is a forum and opinion is the entire point.

Wait for a reviewer to tell you the handle is flimsy, don't assume by just the looks.

Now you ASSUME I trust reviewers. A reviewer's review is just their OPINION of a particular item. While the additional hands on information is nice, I don't make purchasing decisions on just review, opinions, stats, looks, etc. It is a combination of all the information I can gather including my personal hands-on when I can at local vendors.

I think the handle is a bad choice as it takes up valuable ventilation space. The single arm on the back may bend or flex if the case twist to the sides when being carried. Trip or stumble and you could end up with the chunk of bent metal sticking out of the top of your case.

 

[Easy Rhino]

Do you often violently swing your case to use it as a bludgeoning weapon?

all the time! intruders enter my house left and right and the first thing i use on them is my PC case!

 

[btarunr]

Now you ASSUME I trust reviewers. A reviewer's review is just their OPINION of a particular item. While the additional hands on information is nice, I don't make purchasing decisions on just review, opinions, stats, looks, etc. It is a combination of all the information I can gather including my personal hands-on when I can at local vendors.

No, a reviewer's review is not always their opinion on a particular item. A Radeon HD 5870 being more energy-efficient than a GeForce GTX 480 is not in Wizzard's opinion, it is for fact, W1zzard is establishing that fact scientifically for you.

Likewise, a reviewer can actually fill up his Survivor case with hardware (or rocks) and load test how the handle holds up, he can then establish for fact that a handle is flimsy or not.

 

[Phxprovost]

@ Btarunr

Its a moving plastic handle on a ~$100 case, even if a reviewer deems it "sturdy" im still not going to move my rig with it. and since when is "assuming" something on tpu something to call someone out on?

 

[btarunr]

@ Btarunr

Its a moving plastic handle on a ~$100 case, even if a reviewer deems it "sturdy" im still not going to move my rig with it. and since when is "assuming" something on tpu something to call someone out on?

I called nobody out on. Don't make this personal.

 

[labyrinth]

nice case, but i thought that BitFenix doesn't like side windows

 

[t77snapshot]

I'm always interested in compact LAN cases and I would like to build one just for fun. I do like the look of this case, but that handle design makes me nervous. Is this case smaller then the Nzxt Vulcan?

 

[Bjorn_Of_Iceland]

Handle looks too flimsy imo. Looks heavy as it is.. add components in, and it will be heavier. Judging from the pic, it looks like it pops off in a "Z" kind of joints, and will put too much stress on whatever is stopping the "Z" handle from becoming "L"... Doubt if the handle can handle it.

 

[sneekypeet]

I'm always interested in compact LAN cases and I would like to build one just for fun. I do like the look of this case, but that handle design makes me nervous. Is this case smaller then the Nzxt Vulcan?

It looks like this (survivor) has room for ATX, the Vulcan only supported m-ATX. My guess is the Survivor will be just a bit taller

 

[caleb]

that handle looks like it will snap right off.

That handle would be so much pleasure if it would be of proper shape.